After exchanging their greeting downstairs, Dmitri grabbed Ash by the wrist and practically dragged him up the staircase.
"Come on. I'm showing you your room," he said.
When they reached the door, two maids were just stepping out. Ash entered and froze.
The room was huge. Too huge. High ceilings, silk curtains, and a bed big enough to swallow three people. It didn't look like a place for a guard—More like a prince's chamber.
Ash blinked twice, tightening his grip on his bag.
"I… I can't sleep in this room."
He turned toward the door, intending to leave, but Dmitri's hand wrapped around his arm, warm and firm.
"Hey–what's wrong? You don't like it?" He asked.
Dmitri didn't give him time to answer. He gently pulled him further inside.
Letting go, Dmitri walked to the window. He cracked it open and let the bright rays of the sun drift inside.
"The view is perfect," he said simply.
He left the window and flopped onto the bed with a small jump. Closing his eyes, he inhaled as if he were smelling fresh flowers.
"And the bed is soft."
He grabbed a pillow and hugged it to his chest. "And comfy."
Ash's voice cut into the moment.
"More reason I can't accept this room..." He exhaled. "This is too much for a guard."
Dmitri cracked one eye open. Still hugging the pillow, he stared at Ash for a second, then tossed the pillow aside. He pushed himself upright, hands on the mattress, his red hair falling messily across his face.
He didn't notice—or didn't care—that his robe had slipped off his left shoulder, exposing smooth skin and the faint curve of his collarbone. A hint of his chest peeked through where the fabric had loosened.
Ash, who had been watching without realizing it, quickly turned his gaze away.
"Ahem," he muttered, clearing his throat. "This mansion is big enough. There should be a proper room available."
Dmitri rose from the bed and walked toward him, steps slow. He stopped directly in front of Ash. The robe was still slipping, his shoulder still bare.
He had to tilt his chin up slightly—Ash was a bit taller.
Ash raised an eyebrow, waiting.
"Ashley Cooper," Dmitri said softly, savoring the name. "As my personal"—he drew out the word—"bodyguard, you're supposed to stay close. Very close to me."
Ash rolled his eyes. "Seriously?Boss, I—"
He didn't get any farther. Dmitri pressed two fingers against his lips, silencing him gently.
Feeling Ash's warm breath on his finger, Dmitri met Ash's blue eyes. When he felt Ash's lips move slightly against his touch, his gaze dropped to them again.
He blinked twice and with a small smirk murmured" Soft"
That's when Evan's voice echoed from the corridor, calling Dmitri's name.
Evan entered the room and stopped at the doorway.
"Dmitri—" he started, but he froze when both Dmitri and Ash turned their heads to look at him at the same time.
With a small smile, Dmitri said, "Jeez, Evan… sorry, I completely forgot about you." He took a step forward to meet him, but suddenly he felt a hand on his waist, stopping him.
Ash silently reached out and fixed Dmitri's robe, pulling the loose fabric up to cover his exposed shoulder. Only then did he remove his hand from Dmitri's waist.
The gesture was quick, but intimate enough to surprise Dmitri. His eyes widened for a second before a slow smirk curved on his lips. He raised a hand and gently tapped Ash's jaw.
"Thanks, Ashley."
Ash didn't react. His expression stayed calm as he took a small step back, increasing the distance between them. He lowered his head slightly in a polite bow.
"Boss, I will give you two some space," he said.
He walked toward the door. As he was walking he felt Evan's gaze aimed at him. passed Evan, he noticed the cold gaze aimed at him. Ash held it for a brief moment, then pushed the feeling aside and continued out.
A few seconds later, he was gone.
**************
Ash walked out of the room and kept walking—down one hallway, then another. He didn't really know where he was going, only that he needed to be far from the room he had just left. Far from Dmitri.
When he felt he was finally alone, he exhaled slowly.
He pushed his hair back, lifted his gaze toward the ceiling, and tried to steady the wild beat of his heart.
What the hell just happened in there…?
Seeing Dmitri like that—so close, so careless, so exposed—had stirred something inside him. He hadn't shown it on his face, but his mind had been a storm.
He pressed a hand against his chest.
A normal reaction… I guess. I mean, I am bi, he told himself. But the thought vanished the moment he remembered the feeling of Dmitri's waist under his hand. Even through the robe, the shape fit perfectly into his palm…
Just like him—
An image of a white-haired guy flashed in his mind.
Before the memory could settle, a sound interrupted him—a soft, delicate melody drifting from a nearby room. A violin.
Ash froze for a second, listening.
Canon in D… he recognized instantly. As someone who loved music, he could spot the piece within seconds.
The notes were smooth, warm, peaceful—washing away the chaos in his mind. His body relaxed with every step he took toward the source. The closer he got, the clearer the violin's voice became. Every string, every vibration, every shift of the bow felt… perfect.
Whoever is playing must be a professional, he thought, slowing his steps so he wouldn't disturb the melody.
He finally found the room and stopped at the doorway.
Inside, a figure stood alone—dressed in a simple white shirt and pants, posture elegant and effortless. Delicate fingers held the violin with precision. His eyes were closed, completely lost in the music. Soft white hair fell around his face, giving him a peaceful, almost ethereal look.
Ash didn't move. He just watched.
For that moment, he was immersed in both the melody… and the player.
Then the boy's eyes opened—bright, emerald green—and met Ash's directly.
Nik kept playing, his gaze steady, calm, and strangely captivating. The room felt still, as if the music had wrapped itself around the two of them.
(Background song: Canon in D_Pachelbel_Voilin_Cover )